What strategies has First Harvest Ministries employed to gather over 1,000 Patriots annually at Toto's Retreat?

First Harvest Ministries has focused on a few key strategies to gather over 1,000 Patriots at Toto’s Retreat each year:

• Clear identity and vision: Framing the event as the Feast of Tabernacles/Toto’s Retreat for “freedom loving Americans,” with strong patriotic and family-centered branding.
• Compelling storytelling: Sharing highlight and preservation videos (like the “Official Video Release of TOTO’s RETREAT 2022”) to let attendees’ experiences become the main promotion.
• Destination experience: Hosting at Lake Guntersville State Park in Alabama, encouraging guests to “come a day early and stay a day late” to enjoy the beauty of the area with loved ones.
• Early, practical logistics: Publishing dates a year in advance and directing people to call the lodge directly, mention Toto’s Retreat/Feast of Tabernacles, and secure discounted rooms.
• Relational network: Partnering with well-known ministers and leaders (such as Pastor Greg Locke and others) whose audiences then travel from many states—2022 saw people from 38 states represented.

Would you like a breakdown of how you might adapt these same strategies for your own event or ministry gathering?